Golf tee and manufacturing method of golf tee

Abstract

To provide a golf tee having a friction with a golf ball as small as possible without generating unevenness in a contact portion with the golf ball in a placement part of the golf ball, and a manufacturing method of the golf tee.SOLUTION: In a state where a center part in a placement part 120 having a concave curved surface shape on which a golf ball 200 is placed is opened, a cover part 130 formed of a fluorine-containing polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene is joined so as to cover an upper side peripheral edge of the placement part 120 via an adhesive layer 132.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a golf tee and a method for manufacturing a golf tee, and more particularly to a golf tee having a concavely curved mounting portion on which a golf ball is placed, and a method for manufacturing a golf tee. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional golf tees mainly consist of a pointed leg and a concavely curved base on which the ball rests. However, this type of golf tee creates resistance at the contact point between the tee and the ball when hitting it, resulting in a reduced flight distance.

[0003] Therefore, golf tees have been developed that reduce the contact resistance between the golf tee and the golf ball by minimizing the contact area between the golf tee and the golf ball (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the golf tee disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the golf tee 10 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a leg 11 with a pointed tip facing the ground, and a mounting portion 12 on which a golf ball is placed. A base 13 is attached to the upper side of mounting portion 12, and a plurality of elongated supports 14 made of a flexible material such as a highly flexible synthetic resin are provided on the upper surface of base 13 and arranged at equal intervals on a circumference centered on the center of base 13.

[0005] In the golf tee disclosed in Patent Document 1, the golf ball is supported by the tips of multiple elongated support posts 14. This reduces the contact resistance between the golf tee and the golf ball, eliminating the resistance that reduces the flight distance. This allows for an increase in flight distance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-181208 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the golf tee disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a plurality of elongated support posts to be provided at equal intervals around the circumference on the top surface of the base portion attached to the top of the mounting portion 12. This results in a problem of laborious manufacturing. In addition, the number of parts is large, making it difficult to mass-produce easily and inexpensively.

[0008] On the other hand, fluororesins are known to have the smallest coefficient of friction of any solid. In particular, the dynamic friction coefficient of polytetrafluoroethylene (tetrafluoroethylene resin) is 0.1, and because of its good sliding properties, it is used in a variety of sliding parts.

[0009] Therefore, it is conceivable to form the entire golf tee from a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene. Because fluororesin has an extremely low coefficient of friction, there is no need to minimize the contact area between the golf tee and the golf ball, as in the golf tee disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0010] This avoids the above-mentioned labor-intensive manufacturing problems and reduces the number of parts, but because fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene are very expensive, there is a problem that although the labor and number of parts are reduced, the cost is high. Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene only on the contact area between the golf tee and the golf ball, that is, on the golf ball resting portion.

[0011] Generally, methods for processing fluororesin include baking and machining. Baking paint is a process in which the golf ball mounting area is painted with a mixture of powdered fluororesin and pigment, and the painted golf tee is then baked and heated to gel the fluororesin and form a coating.

[0012] Golf tees, which are the targets for baking coating with fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, come in three types: wooden, plastic, and rubber. However, these have low heat resistance and are not suitable for baking coating, which requires baking heat.

[0013] Furthermore, mixing pigments reduces the purity of fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, which results in a higher coefficient of friction. Furthermore, the thin fluororesin coating formed on the golf ball's base can peel off after being hit multiple times with a golf club.

[0014] On the other hand, since fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene does not melt when heated, in order to machine it, it is necessary to compress and mold powdered fluororesin using a mold or the like, and then process the block-shaped fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene using a processing machine such as a lathe or milling machine.

[0015] When a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene is machined onto the mounting portion of a golf tee, it is possible to provide a male threaded portion on the underside of the fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene machined to the shape of the mounting portion, and then fit it into a female threaded portion on the upper side of the leg of the golf tee and screw it in place.

[0016] However, there are problems such as the engagement between the female and male threads becoming loose after being hit multiple times with a golf club, and the legs weakened by forming the female threads can break.

[0017] One possible solution is to attach a piece of fluororesin, such as machined polytetrafluoroethylene, to the top of the golf ball placement area. Fluoroplastics such as polytetrafluoroethylene are characterized by their non-adhesive properties, which makes them difficult to bond to other materials. However, it is generally known that they can be bonded to other materials by thinning the fluoroplastics such as polytetrafluoroethylene and applying a primer to the bonding surface or by performing special surface treatments.

[0018] One possible method is to machine a thin sheet of fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene into the shape of the golf ball mounting area, apply the surface treatment necessary for adhesion to one side of the sheet, and then attach it to the upper side of the golf ball mounting area.

[0019] However, the golf ball mounting area is machined into a concave curved shape to match the shape of the golf ball in order to stably mount the golf ball, and therefore, if a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene machined into a thin sheet is attached to the golf ball mounting area, there is a problem that the sheet will twist and wrinkle to fit the concave curved surface of the mounting area.

[0020] If the golf ball resting area becomes wrinkled, not only does the wrinkles look bad, but the uneven areas caused by the wrinkles come into contact with the golf ball, creating resistance and hindering the golf ball's movement, which results in problems such as the golf ball not flying straight when hit and a reduced distance.

[0021] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a golf tee that minimizes friction with a golf ball and prevents unevenness in the contact area with the golf ball on the golf ball placement portion, and a method for manufacturing a golf tee. [Means for solving the problem]

[0022] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a golf tee having a concavely curved mounting portion on which a golf ball is placed, characterized in that it is provided with a covering portion made of a fluorine-containing polymer that is adhesively coated on the upper peripheral edge of the mounting portion via an adhesive layer so as to leave an opening in the center of the mounting portion. As a result, the covering portion made of the fluorine-containing polymer is adhesively coated on the upper periphery of the mounting portion via the adhesive layer, leaving the center of the mounting portion open.

[0023] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a golf tee having a concavely curved mounting portion on which a golf ball is placed, the method comprising the step of adhesively coating an upper peripheral edge of the mounting portion with a covering portion made of a fluorine-containing polymer via an adhesive layer so as to leave an opening in the center of the mounting portion. As a result, the covering portion made of the fluorine-containing polymer is adhesively coated on the upper periphery of the mounting portion via the adhesive layer, leaving the center of the mounting portion open. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the golf tee and manufacturing method of the present invention, a covering made of a fluorine-containing polymer is adhesively coated on the upper periphery of the mounting portion via an adhesive layer so as to leave an opening in the center of the mounting portion. Because the covering made of a fluorine-containing polymer is interposed between the golf ball and the golf tee, the resistance generated at the contact point between the golf tee and the golf ball can be further reduced. This prevents the golf ball from rotating due to friction between the golf ball and the golf tee, preventing the golf ball from curving due to rotation, allowing the golf ball to be launched straight and increasing the distance it can travel.

[0025] Furthermore, because the center of the mounting portion is open, it is possible to prevent the fluoropolymer covering portion from twisting and deforming to fit the concavely curved surface of the mounting portion during adhesion. Therefore, there are no irregularities on the contact surface with the ball, allowing the ball to be hit with low friction. This prevents the golf ball from rotating due to the frictional force between the golf ball and the golf tee, so the golf ball will not curve due to rotation, allowing it to be hit straight and the distance it can travel will be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a golf tee according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a golf tee and a golf ball, showing a state in which the golf ball is placed on the placement portion. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a golf tee and a golf ball showing a state in which the golf ball is placed on the placement portion, and is a cross-sectional view showing another shape of the placement portion. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a golf tee disclosed in Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a golf tee according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a golf tee 100 is a tool for placing and fixing a golf ball 200 (not shown here) on a tee ground in a golf game when the golf ball 200 is to be hit.

[0028] The golf tee 100 also includes a leg 110 with a pointed tip facing the ground, a mounting portion 120 on which a golf ball 200 is placed, and a covering portion 130 that is adhesively coated on the upper periphery of the mounting portion 120.

[0029] The legs 110 are made of, for example, strong wood or various synthetic resins such as plastic or rubber, and are configured so that the lower ends of the legs 110 are tapered to a sharp point so that they can be easily thrust into the ground or grass.

[0030] The placing portion 120 is for placing the golf ball 200. For example, it has a circular shape in a plan view and has a larger outer diameter than the leg portions 110. The golf tee 100 of this embodiment is shown as an example in which the leg portion 110 and the mounting portion 120 are formed integrally, but it is also possible to form the leg portion 110 and the mounting portion 120 from separate materials and then join them together.

[0031] In addition, the legs 110 are shown in an example configured so that their lower ends are tapered to a point so that they can be easily stuck into the ground or grass, but they may also have a structure in which multiple supports support the mounting unit 120 like a tripod.Alternatively, a structure in which a flat base is placed on the ground or grass and at least one support erected from the base supports the mounting unit 120. Furthermore, although the example is shown in which the placement portion 120 has a circular shape in a plan view, the placement portion 120 may have any shape as long as the golf ball 200 can be placed thereon. The top surface of the placement portion 120 is formed into a concave curved surface that matches the shape of the golf ball 200 so that the golf ball 200 can be placed thereon stably.

[0032] Cover 130 is interposed between golf ball 200 and golf tee 100 to reduce the frictional force between golf ball 200 and golf tee 100. Cover 130 is made by processing a fluorine-containing polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene into a thin sheet of about 0.1 mm.

[0033] The covering portion 130 is adhesively coated on the upper surface of the mounting portion 120 via an adhesive layer 132 (not shown here). However, since the upper surface of the mounting portion 120 is formed into a concave curved surface, the covering portion 130 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 120 with an opening in the center.

[0034] Specifically, the covering portion 130 is formed in a circular shape with the same diameter as the outer periphery of the upper surface of the mounting portion 120, and a circular opening is formed in the center thereof, so that the covering portion 130 is formed in a doughnut shape in a plan view.

[0035] Therefore, even if the covering part 130 is attached to the upper surface of the mounting part 120 via the adhesive layer 132, when it is attached to fit the concave curved surface, the central part where the sheet-like covering part 130 is likely to overlap is open, so the sheet-like covering part 130 will not wrinkle.

[0036] Furthermore, since the center of the covering portion 130 is open, the amount of expensive fluorine-containing polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene used to attach to the mounting portion 120 can be reduced.

[0037] In this way, the center of covering portion 130, which tends to wrinkle when attached to a concave curved surface, is opened, so that the center does not wrinkle or crease. This prevents wrinkles from spoiling the appearance, and the unevenness caused by the wrinkles does not come into contact with golf ball 200.

[0038] That is, the covering portion 130, which fits the shape of the upper surface of the placing portion 120 without any unevenness, is interposed between the golf ball 200 and the golf tee 100. Therefore, the golf ball 200 can be hit with almost no friction between the golf ball 200 and the golf tee 100.

[0039] This increases the flight distance of the golf ball 200 and also prevents the golf ball 200 from rotating due to the friction between the golf ball 200 and the golf tee 100. As a result, the golf ball 200 does not curve due to rotation, and the golf ball 200 can be hit in a straight line.

[0040] The width of the covering portion 130 covering the upper periphery of the mounting portion 120 from the upper periphery of the mounting portion 120 can be set to any width, but it is preferable that the covering portion 130 cover the mounting portion 120 from the upper periphery to a width of about 1 / 4 of the upper periphery of the mounting portion 120.

[0041] This setting allows covering portion 130 to be appropriately positioned on mounting portion 120, optimizing the contact area with golf ball 200. This is expected to further improve the flight distance and directionality of golf ball 200.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of golf tee 100 and a golf ball, showing the golf ball placed on the placement portion. 2, covering portion 130 is open in the center and is disposed on the upper surface of mounting portion 120. As a result, covering portion 130, which conforms to the shape of the upper surface of mounting portion 120 and is smooth, is interposed between golf ball 200 and golf tee 100.

[0043] The covering portion 130 includes a covering layer 131 and an adhesive layer 132 . The coating layer 131 is made of a fluorine-containing polymer that is particularly non-sticky and slippery, and preferably also heat-resistant, cold-resistant, and weather-resistant.

[0044] As a specific fluorine-containing polymer, any fluorine-containing polymer may be selected as long as it can be adhesively coated on the upper peripheral edge of the mounting portion 120 via the adhesive layer 132 so as to leave the center of the mounting portion 120 open, but polytetrafluoroethylene is particularly preferred.

[0045] Alternatively, it may be composed of perfluoroalkoxyalkane, perfluoroethylenepropene copolymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluorodioxole copolymer, polyvinyl fluoride, or the like.

[0046] In order to adhesively coat the mounting portion 120, which is a fluorine-containing polymer with slipperiness, onto the mounting portion 120 via the adhesive layer 132, it is possible to achieve adhesive coating by applying a primer to the side of the coating layer 131 that is to be adhered to the mounting portion 120 or by performing a well-known special surface treatment.

[0047] When covering layer 131 is bonded to mounting portion 120 via adhesive layer 132, adhesive layer 132 is adhered to the side of covering layer 131 that is to be bonded to mounting portion 120, and covering layer 131 and adhesive layer 132 are placed on the curved recessed surface of mounting portion 120 with the side of adhesive layer 132 that is to be bonded to mounting portion 120 exposed. Then, a jig having a curved surface with the same shape as the curved recessed surface of mounting portion 120 may be pressed against covering layer 131 from the side of covering layer 131 to cause pressure bonding.

[0048] In this way, the covering portion 130 is adhered to the mounting portion 120 and serves to reduce friction with the golf ball 200. This reduces the contact resistance between the golf tee 100 and the golf ball 200, and no resistance that reduces the flight distance occurs. This is expected to increase the flight distance of the golf ball 200. In addition, the golf ball 200 does not curve due to rotation, and the golf ball 200 can be hit straight.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of golf tee 100 and a golf ball, showing a state in which the golf ball is placed on the placement portion, and is a cross-sectional view showing another shape of the placement portion. 3, the covering portion 130 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting portion 120 with its central portion open, so that the upper surface of the mounting portion 120 is exposed through the opening.

[0050] At this time, if the golf ball 200 comes into contact with the exposed mounting portion 120, frictional force will be generated between the golf ball 200 and the exposed mounting portion 120. As a result, there is a possibility that problems will occur such as a reduction in flight distance or the golf ball 200 not flying straight.

[0051] Therefore, a recess 121 is formed in the center of the exposed mounting portion 120. Specifically, the recess 121 is formed in the center of the mounting portion 120 so as to be recessed more than the general portion 122 having a concave curved surface.

[0052] By forming recess 121 in the center of mounting portion 120, which is exposed mounting portion 120, the distance between golf ball 200 placed on mounting portion 120 and the upper surface of mounting portion 120 that has been sunken by forming recess 121 is increased. This makes it possible to prevent golf ball 200 and exposed mounting portion 120 from coming into contact with each other.

[0053] Furthermore, by forming recess 121, which is recessed more than general portion 122, in a conical shape, even if the golf club comes into contact with golf tee 100 and deforms mounting portion 120 when hitting golf ball 200 with the golf club, it is possible to maintain a distance from the upper surface of recessed mounting portion 120. In this case, it is preferable that the apex angle of conical recess 121 be an acute angle.

[0054] In this way, contact between the golf ball 200 and the exposed mounting portion 120 is suppressed, thereby reducing the frictional force on the golf ball 200, and it can be expected that the flight distance of the golf ball 200 will be increased.

[0055] Furthermore, the golf ball 200 does not curve due to rotation, and the golf ball 200 can be hit in a straight line. This configuration makes it possible to improve the flight distance and directionality of the golf ball 200. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100 Golf Tees 110 Legs 120 Placement section 121 recess 122 General section 130 Covering part 131 Covering layer 132 Adhesive layer 200 golf balls

Claims

1. A golf tee having a concavely curved surface on which a golf ball is placed, a covering portion made of a fluorine-containing polymer adhesively covering the upper peripheral edge of the mounting portion via an adhesive layer so as to leave an opening in the center of the mounting portion; A golf tee comprising:

2. The placement section is a recess in the center that is recessed more than the general portion of the concave curved surface; 2. The golf tee of claim 1, comprising:

3. The recessed portion is be formed into a cone shape; 3. The golf tee according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The apex angle of the conically formed recess is Being acute, 4. The golf tee according to claim 3, wherein:

5. The fluorine-containing polymer is being polytetrafluoroethylene; 2. The golf tee according to claim 1, wherein:

6. A method for manufacturing a golf tee having a concavely curved mounting portion on which a golf ball is placed, comprising: a step of adhesively coating an upper peripheral edge of the mounting portion with a covering portion made of a fluorine-containing polymer via an adhesive layer so as to leave a central portion of the mounting portion open; A method for manufacturing a golf tee, comprising:

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